CVE-2008-6847 in Pre ASP Job Board
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Employee/emp_login.asp in Pre ASP Job Board allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the msg parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The CVE-2008-6847 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Pre ASP Job Board application's employee login component. This security weakness exists in the Employee/emp_login.asp file where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser. The vulnerability specifically affects the msg parameter which is processed without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions.
This XSS vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent web application security flaws identified by the CWE organization. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts through the msg parameter, which can then be executed by other users who view the affected page. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the application's response rather than being stored permanently. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications where user authentication and session management are critical components of the security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Attackers can craft specially formatted URLs containing malicious script payloads in the msg parameter, which when clicked by authenticated users, would execute the injected code in their browser context. This creates a significant risk for organizations using the Pre ASP Job Board system, as compromised user sessions could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive job board data, user information, or administrative functions. The vulnerability particularly affects the authentication process since it targets the login page where users enter their credentials and receive status messages.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6847 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those that are reflected back to users, through proper HTML encoding before rendering them in the response. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can also provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. The application should also employ proper session management practices and implement input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side components. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, as outlined in various security frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework for web application attacks.